CANADA: Poutine

We have Montreal to thank for Canada's unofficial national dish, poutine (which also sometimes goes by its informal nickname, "Canadian salad"). The iconic dish consists of crispy, golden fries topped with cheese curds and drenched in gravy.

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MEXICO: Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles — which translates to "in a sauce of chiles" from Nahuatl — is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of heaps of crisp tortilla triangles tossed in a pan with salsa, and then piled sky-high with crumbled cheese and crema. Even better, chilaquiles are often enjoyed for breakfast.

ISRAEL: Matzo ball soup

Matzo balls — which are made from matzo meal and eggs, and often consumed during Passover— are doughy, rich soup dumplings that have a delicious tendency to soak up all the flavors of the broth in which they're submerged.

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CHINA: Congee

Congee — a soothing type of rice porridge that is so extensively cooked that the individual grains of rice coalesce into an almost homogeneous base — is popular in many East Asian countries, and is often fortified with different garnishes and ingredients to amplify the flavor.

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AMERICA: Grilled cheese

Grilled cheese.
Barbara Barbour/Shutterstock

The simple comfort mainstay known as the grilled cheese sandwich can come dressed up or au naturel— just as long as it comes with a side of tomato soup for dunking.

PUERTO RICO: Mofongo

Mofongo, a ball-shaped dish of pickled, fried, and then smashed plantains that are flavored with garlic, salt, and oil in a wooden pilón, is a Puerto Rican staple usually served alongside a hearty stew or broth.

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GREECE: Moussaka

Moussaka — a baked dish that can be described as Greece's version of lasagna — typically features layers of fried eggplant, potatoes, ground meat, and spices, all topped off with grated cheese and a cream sauce such as béchamel.

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MOROCCO: Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a stew of eggs poached in a spicy sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions flavored with cumin. While it likely originated in North Africa, it is a popular dish throughout the Middle East.

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CUBA: Picadillo

Picadillo, a Cuban-style hash, routinely features a base of ground beef and tomatoes, but you'll find different renditions of the dish depending on which region you're eating it in. Some prefer it with olives for a salty kick; others enjoy it with raisins for sweetness.

PERSIA: Asheh Reshteh

Thick, stick-to-your-ribs soups make up the backbone of Iranian cooking — in fact, there are more than 50 varieties. Asheh Reshteh, a Persian noodle soup full of beans, herbs, and yogurt, is arguably the most popular type.

UKRAINE: Borscht

Borscht — a sour soup with a vibrant red color, thanks to its primary ingredient of beets — is traditionally made with meat or bone stock, sautéed veggies, and fermented beetroot juice, although there are countless variations of the dish.

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